Very excited to have my work featured in Tactical Solutions Magazine, the official publication of the International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) based in Chicago, IL.
The International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) is always on Mission to provide members with advanced tactical and technical programs of instruction formulated and directed by a core council who possess extensive Law Enforcement and Military experience. We seek to transform, keep you ahead of the curve, and one step ahead. Semper in ViaITTA retains a broad spectrum of instructors with Special Operations backgrounds and current post 9-11 operational and instructional experience. We are here to transform, keep you inside the loop and one step ahead with best practices, hard learned lessons, and disruptive technologies.
You can go directly to the issue and article here. Be sure to check out their entire website and read their other publications for fantastic content.
The work-up to the end of 2017 has been both busy and involved.
As 2017 has presented many challenges and rewards, I look to the future and what 2018 will bring.
We have many great things on-tap this coming year. Workshops, cooperations and many informative efforts for everyone to benefit from.
As we move into the new year, we will be rolling out a lot of exciting things.
I’d like to thank everyone who has read, followed and supported the efforts here at True North Tradecraft this inaugural year and together, we can make 2018 even better.
In the beginning…at the Southern Terminus of the Trail. Let’s do this!
Every foray outside one’s home brings with it the possibility of adventure and danger. This excursion was no different.
Our journey took us from the Southern end of the Bruce Trail (in Queenston Heights Park) to just north of Hamilton, Ontario.
*Note, due to personal circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to delay the completion of our trip and return home. We are, however, going to complete the rest in shorter blocks to ensure that our responsibilities at home are maintained in our absences.*
During our time on the trail, I managed to field test several items of kit (to be reviewed in separate posts) and streamline my hiking kit for better efficacy and efficiency. I found that several things I had planned out, thought I might need, or were “essentials”, were not.
Depending on the context and profile of your outdoor adventure, your needs will change.
Here is a list of things that added weight, added bulk or were otherwise not needed given the profile of where we were going:
Teva sandals
shorts
second belt
short-bladed machete
small forest axe
expanded first-aid kit
water purification filter
extra sweater
fleece gloves
second dry bag
This stuff, though individually very useful in the right circumstance, became a hinderance. It added unnecessary weight and made it difficult to move swiftly along the trail. It also had the added unpleasantness of adding soreness to feet, shoulders and knees without any added benefit. The other tools and clothing that I had more than covered for the loss of the above-listed items. After ditching this stuff (at our accommodations at the end of day one) things got much better and our progress improved greatly.
Taking a much-needed break on the trail. This version of my pack was MUCH improved after I ditched some heavy redundant gear.
The trail itself was well marked and maintained (for the most part) and allowed for unimpeded movement. The weather was warm and clear. The terrain a never-ending series of up-and-down, so the quads and hams got a good workout every day. Hydration was maintained through the 3-litre bladder I filled-up every morning and I found that I never even got through the entire thing despite drinking almost-continuously through the day. It especially helped to have lunch and “hydrate” at a local winery along the way, just off the trail.
Henry of Pelham Winery. “Hydration” at its finest!
The topography of the Niagara Escarpment and the Niagara Region in general is beautiful and rugged. The views from the tops of the cliffs were open for miles – all the way to lake miles below. As strange as it was to be completely enveloped in the woods and still hearing cars sometime, the peace and calm from such immersion was restorative and calming. Even my evenings were great. Staying at various accommodations along the way made for a recovery treat!
The view from the cottage was just wonderful and the cottage itself was so well appointed it made all the difference at the end of the day. I have already made plans to go back.
So, with all the positives that came along during this trek, there were also some negatives as well. As mentioned previously, the overage in clothing and equipment made for a more difficult first day. Also, the topography of the area and higher elevations reduced our daily distance from 30km per day average to 20-25km per day. Despite the reduced trail coverage, we still made good progress. The weather held, the bugs were barely there, and we made good use of water and breaks to not fatigue ourselves too much.
We saw a whole host of animals, interesting natural and man-made things and got a feel for some of the history and landscape in a rich area so close to home which we’d hardly get to explore had we not gone and done this. I’m very happy I had.
Like a nomadic hobo.
While walking along, I would think about how our context will change as we make our way farther north and farther away from civilization. Those sandals still won’t have a place, but the axe and possibly more first-aid components due to a greater removal from access to emergency medical care. As we continue this journey piecemeal, I’ll be constantly re-evaluating my set-up. With that in mind, to anyone thinking about traversing the Bruce Trail I would humbly suggest that you invest in the Bruce Trail Guidebook. It’s very well laid-out, full of detailed topographical maps and chock-full of useful information. Well worth the $40. Also, ensure you have your compass and separate topographical map of the area. There were a few times where I had to shoot a bearing off a distant tree across an open field with no markings to ensure I crossed to the next trail marker and not on a side trail (or worse, off the path all together).
One step at a time…till you’ve made many, many steps.
As we left the trail to get back home, one of the last things I saw on the trail gave me inspiration for not only continuing, but also for life in general. “Keep Going” it said. I guess that’s really it in the end. Don’t give up. Hustle and persevere and go for it.
Keep Going. No shit, a good mantra to have. A good form of resilience.
Later this month, I will be hiking the Southern half of the Bruce Trail (Queenston to Collingwood) covering ~450km in about 2 weeks.
To that end, I have been making lists, assembling gear, organizing and planning things through to ensure the fewest amount of screw-ups on the trail.
Proper Previous Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance. The 7 Ps.
Planning in this context is simply Risk Management. The basic principles of risk management are the identification of things that are possible (hazards), how devastating they would be if they happened (impact) and the probability of those things happening. The combination of those two (what is possible to happen, combined with their likelihood of happening) equals the level of RISK. When you have looked at your situation through risk-coloured glasses, you will be better equipped to gauge your level of RISK to a certain situation and plan accordingly.
Im my planning process for this particular adventure I have taken several things into account for my planning process:
Distance
Terrain
Access to re-supply (food & water)
Logistics
Navigation
Communications
Shelter & sleeping
Access to coffee (VERY important!)
Weather & environmental factors
Possible hazards on trail during hike
Likelihood of encountering said hazards
Possible impact of hazards if encountered
Volume of gear
Weight of gear
Emergency considerations and procedures (personal safety & survival -gear and immediate actions)
Now, the premise of this hike wasn’t mine initially. My darling wife wanted to cross-off “Hiking the Bruce Trail, End-to-End” off her bucket list for her upcoming birthday. The first half this year, the second, next Fall. Who wouldn’t jump at that?
If you complete all ~900km of the Bruce Trail, you can get this cool patch. I want. I will have.
For me, I am not only looking forward to the hike itself with my wife, but also of taking the opportunity to field-test some of my newer gear and review some things recently acquired. I’m also keen to tighten up my lightweight backpacking game and sharpen my level of fitness too. The one thing we will be taking out of the hiking equation is camping. As we traverse the Southern half of the Bruce Trail, our accommodations plan will be Bed & Breakfasts and Air BnB along the way.
Hike-in to some luxury.
This does two things: keeps me alive and married, and, allows for a level of serendipity every day. This is meant to be a fun time, not overly gruelling. She likes to hike in style, and who am I to argue on her birthday?
The peace of a hike in the woods. Like the Infantry, but without the weapons.
So aside from the up-scale hike camping we will be doing, we are still aiming for a pace of 32-45km per day. I have assembled the following set-up for the trip. I will be breaking it all down over the coming weeks and months, as I can, to discuss it all in further detail.
All my stuff ready to go (minus a full water bladder and water bottle).
As we make our way along, I will post reviews of gear and trip reports when I can and when I have connectivity.
Stay tuned for more posts leading up to my departure.
Last Saturday, May 27th, Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft made an appearance in our nation’s capital. We met with Tactical Beaver fans at a fine pub in the Glebe (Irene’s) and shared some good cheer and made some new friends. And sold some shirts!
It was a great start to a day which would see us as guests of Jody Mitic and the Jody Mitic Podcast.
We had been invited to be guests on Jody’s podcast to discuss Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft, our vision, goals and of course, shoot the shit with him. It was all that and more. Jody and Luke were gracious, humble and very fun to spend a few hours with. They even invited us back!
We couldn’t leave Ottawa without meeting with some new friends for breakfast at the Wellington Diner, namely Marc from Hayabusa Ninjutsu and his lovely family. Thank you for the recommendation.
We are looking forward to next time. Till then, check out the great podcast here and follow Jody Mitic, The Jody Mitic Podcast, Tactical Beaver and True North Tradecraft on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe to the Podcast to hear more of Jody’s unique take on things and his other amazing guests.
I recently came across this project. George Lepine is a driving force for the progress of the Okichitaw Indigenous Martial Arts. He is a man of great skill, knowledge and integrity. I have worked with him for many years. He has worked tirelessly to structure, research and make Okichitaw accessible to all who want to learn.
Check out their Kickstarter campaign and support their amazing intiative to bring Okichitaw martial arts to the world. Not only is it an indigenously historic Canadian system, the but it is also effective.
Check it out and support it. It will help bring this piece of Canada to the world.
the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
As we go through life we face challenges. Some benign and yet some are scarring and life-altering. Either way, it isn’t always the WHAT which defines us as people, but rather the HOW we deal with those events that define us. These are usually things we suffer through, in whatever way. As unfortunate as it is, we learn most through suffering. Through heartbreak, loss, pain, catastrophe – overcoming and surviving those events teach us something about life and about ourselves. For every bruised knee we endured falling off our bikes as kids, we became tougher, stronger, better at falling and bouncing back to deal with bigger and worse things. This mental posture developed through various trials is what builds our resilience in life. It is for these reasons that the Military, for instance, trains its people so hard, pushed them to physical and mental extremes – so that when the day comes to face something truly terrible, they will be better prepared, more resilient, to meet the challenge and survive.I have translated this concept into a personal philosophy. I try to make myself uncomfortable, to try new things, challenge myself, and fail trying, just to learn from those experiences and to build that level of resilience in myself. It’s also about being prepared. Not for the Zombie Apocalypse per se, but for an event that may threaten you. Small habits, tools, preparations and knowledge properly put into use before something bad happens can mean the difference between an inconvenience and something serious. Seeing that guy on the corner eyeing you can give you the tip-off that he means you harm. That second or two may give you the edge.I am always learning, always challenging myself to be better and always looking for ways to improve.
Don’t wait for something to happen to you to start getting tough, start now, so when it does happen, you can fight back with all you’ve got and have a better chance of coming out on top.It is for this reason I started True North Tradecraft.
Tradecraft, as defined by Wikipedia: Tradecraft, within the intelligence community, refers to the techniques, methods and technologies used in modern espionage (spying) and generally, as part of the activity of intelligence.
So, skills used by spies, agents, soldiers, operatives and their vast knowledge is advantageous to us all. These people are trained and paid to put themselves in dangerous positions and survive. They have developed strategies to keep themselves alive through tradecraft, through these skills. If they can use it to be safer and more resilient in their day-to-day lives, why can’t you?
Years ago I had an epiphany, where I realized I was far from the level that I wanted to be. I wasn’t prepared to defend myself from true aggression to the level I wanted, and certainly unable to bring to bear force against someone who would threaten me or my family. I was also suffering from a lack of real skills. Skills and training which would genuinely prepare me to be better than I was. I have poured much time and effort into correcting that. I believe anyone can improve with guidance, drive and the will towards change.
True North Tradecraft was envisioned to bring such techniques, strategies, knowledge and support to a wider audience from a Canadian perspective. I have found through my personal encounters with members of both the Public and Government that overwhelmingly, the masses are apathetic in living in the bucolic lives supported by governmental systems. Relying on others for your safety and security is folly. Taking responsibility for yourself is the first step in resilience. Too often such resources are framed within an American context. This is not, in itself, a bad thing, however I have yet to read an EDC blog or book, or have a conversation where a firearm is not included. As great as it would be in some cases, guns are a non-starter here in the Great White North. So, as it is a less-permissive environment, other avenues for personal security and preparedness must be explored. Just because you don’t have a gun doesn’t mean you can’t be safe, or dangerous, or both. You just need the right knowledge, training and mindset.
If you value your personal security, safety and well-being, I look forward to helping you grow, as I have, into a more resilient person, better prepared for threats and hazards and living a life in-tune with your environment.And that too will come.
I have strong feelings about this topic. Too often do I see people do careless and dangerous things simply because they weren’t paying attention. Many accidents and attacks on people are largely avoidable through attuned situational awareness.
So what is it? Situational Awareness (SA), is described in Wikipedia thusly:
“…the perception of environmental elements and events with respect to time or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after some variable has changed, such as time, or some other variable, such as a predetermined event. It is also…concerned with understanding of the environment critical to decision-makers in complex, dynamic areas from aviation, air traffic control, ship navigation, power plant operations, military command and control, and emergency services such as firefighting and policing; to more ordinary but nevertheless complex tasks such as driving an automobile or riding a bicycle. Situation awareness involves being aware of what is happening in the vicinity to understand how information, events, and one’s own actions will impact goals and objectives, both immediately and in the near future. One with an adept sense of situation awareness generally has a high degree of knowledge with respect to inputs and outputs of a system, an innate “feel” for situations, people, and events that play out because of variables the subject can control. Lacking or inadequate situation awareness has been identified as one of the primary factors in accidents attributed to human error.[1] Thus, situational awareness is especially important in work domains where the information flow can be quite high and poor decisions may lead to serious consequences (such as piloting an airplane, functioning as a soldier, or treating critically ill or injured patients).”
The above describes the what of SA well however, only a small percentage of the population actively uses SA in their day-to-day lives. How often do you see this:
…or this?
These people are completely oblivious to their surroundings, the prevailing environment they are in and cannot identify or comprehend threats or hazards which they may be stepping into. No decisions can be made because no information is being collected by their senses beyond that of the screen in front of them. They are unaware of their environment and clueless about any hazards that may threaten them. This is not where you want to be.
Situational awareness is a key component to successful preparation and survival. In whatever environment you may find yourself, be it the wilds of the world or any concrete jungle, being aware of what is going on around you is important. For instance, if you are on a hiking trip, paying attention to weather patterns can determine if you set up camp prior to a weather front coming in, or being caught in a deluge. Alternately, by being unaware of danger signals on the streets of a city, you may find yourself in a position to be attacked whereas if you had picked-up on the subtle signs around you, you stand a better chance of taking steps to avoid a dangerous situation.
The environment around you produces a vast amount of stimuli which most people ignore as “background noise”. Sounds, weather, social interactions, architecture, temperature, motion, colour, patterns – all produce data for us to interpret. A great deal of this is ignored as our brains rarely fixate on things that are “routine”, until they are not.
Survival strategies are transferrable across environments. Urban or rural. Around your home or overseas. Taking a vigilant and keen interest in the goings-on around you will give you an edge in dangerous situation by providing you with valuable information with which to make choices for action (or inaction) which will hopefully keep you alive or unharmed.
Situational awareness is a way of being. When driving, you should constantly be checking your side and rear-view mirrors to be aware of the vehicles around you, plan lane changes due to signs, adjusting your driving appropriately for the road conditions, and anticipating other driver’s actions to ensure you avoid collisions. Most of the time, this is done on a semi-sub-conscious level. If you have been driving a while, you won’t be talking to yourself about looking at your mirrors, much like a brand-new driver who is still nervous and tense about the whole thing.
The same applies when you leave your home, be it in the city or in the outdoors. In the outdoors, do you catch the silence on the path? Why did the birds stop chirping? Are there branches snapping off the trail? What’s that smell? Am I looking at the path for potential hazards or obstacles as well at the trail ahead? In the city the same thought process should run in the background. This is a dark part of the street…is there anyone in that dark doorway? I’ve seen that car a few times today…coincidence? That guy has been behind me for a while now…is he following me? (In a parking lot alone at night…) Are those guys really fixing a flat tire?
I’m not trying to spread paranoia as most of the time those questions will only highlight innocuous situations. BUT, for the small percentage of the time where real danger may be involved, having foreknowledge of that danger can give you the opportunity to act.
The best way to win a fight is to not get into one in the first place. That’s what one of my old martial arts instructors used to tell me. It’s good common sense when you’re not looking for trouble.
At the end of the day, being aware of your surroundings and environment is a critical piece of the survival toolkit. If you practice it often and across all situations in which you find yourself you will get much better at it until it becomes a reflex which goes on in the background.
Welcome to True North Tradecraft, your Canadian destination for Tradecraft, security, preparedness and survival topics.
At True North Tradecraft, we are committed to providing education and support towards building your skill-sets and knowledge in the areas of personal security and tradecraft, all with a Canadian perspective. We’ll build capacity, skills and knowledge together. We’ll post reviews on products, gear and training. Anything we come across to boost your knowledge and provide direction towards a resilient lifestyle.
In these uncertain times, the more you know the better.
Keep checking back with us regularly for new posts.
Also, feel free to check out our partner site, Tactical Beaver. Buy a shirt. Or a hat. Or both. You’ll be happy you did.
